The star of the hit TLC television show, “Cake Boss,” made a stop in Springfield on Jan. 7 as part of his “Bakin’ With the Boss Tour.”

Buddy Valastro, owner of the legendary Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, N.J., appeared to what promoters say was a sold-out audience at Springfield Symphony Hall that kicked off the release of his memoir, “Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia.”

“I call people up from the audience; it’s an interactive show,” Valastro said in a phone interview prior to his appearance.

“I tell my story, which is a condensed version of my book. It’s great for everyone, from a five-year-old to a great-grandmother.”

The event was billed as “An Evening with Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss.”
Valastro has gained a wide-ranging audience through his popular television show, currently in its third season and preparing for production for its fourth.

“Cake Boss” was created after Valastro’s witty on-camera presence was discovered when he appeared on four episodes of “Food Network Challenge.”

Ironically, he lost three challenges before coming home with the top prize for wedding cakes.

The TV show provides an inside look at the family-run Carlo’s Bakery.

With Buddy at the helm, Valastro’s wife, four older sisters and his mother also staff the shop, working to maintain the integrity of the business created by Valastro’s father many years ago.

“Bakin’ With The Boss” was scheduled to have Valastro decorating a wedding cake on stage while taking questions from the audience.
Valastro said he loves meeting his fans.

“There’s nothing like running through the crowd and feeling the energy of 2- or 3,000 people,” he said.

“I was so nervous with my first show. But I show them who I am and show the ‘Cake Boss’ fans what I stand for and what’s important to me.”

Valastro said when fans tell him they feel like they really know him, he tells them that they do, because he’s himself on the show.

“I don’t feel like a big celebrity; I just feel like a baker from New Jersey,” he said.

“The fans truly mean the world to me. I love hearing how I inspire them and how the show touches them.”

Valastro admits that “Cake Boss” depicts the bake shop environment as a bit more dramatic than it really is on any given day.

“They film 90 hours for a 22-minute show,” he said.

“They look for the more heated moments of my day. They’d rather see me yell at my sister than see me take her out for a beer.”

Valastro’s newest TLC venture, “Cake Boss: Next Great Baker” is currently on the air.

The eight-week competition elimination series puts 10 talented pastry chefs through the ringer before one comes out on top as the “Next Great Baker.”

Valastro said while the contestants’ cakes weren’t great the first week, they’re making improvements each week.

“In the beginning, it’s like I’m tough on them, but it’s more like tough love, and I really want them to get better,” he said.

“I really want to push them to want it and get that drive that’s inside of me. On ‘Cake Boss,’ you never see me give up on a cake.”

Valastro said after seeing his “Bakin’ With The Boss” show, he hopes fans walk away with what he truly stands for.

“I want them to feel inspired and feel like they can accomplish their dreams,” he said.

“If you work hard you can accomplish amazing things. You just have to want it and you have to work.”